Free and Cheap Indoor Summer Fun in Huntsville

At some time during the summer, there will be a day (or many) when it’s rainy or just too hot to be outside. When that happens, here are several great INDOOR options for summer fun and many are free (or cheap) with special passes and programs just for the summer!

[themify_box style=”lavender rounded” ]For even more FREE family-fun this summer, check out our 2015 Summer Fun Guide. Filled with information on free outdoor concerts, free summer movies, free and cheap outdoor children’s activities, free summer movies, pools and splashpads, and so much more! Your children will not be bored this summer! [/themify_box]

Bowl for Free

AMF Bowling Centers are offering three free games of bowling every weekday this summer for kids under 16. Click here to register. Shoe rental is extra. Free bowling starts in May and runs all summer until 8:00 pm every weekday. If you want to bowl or have kids 16 or older, you can purchase a family pass for $35.95 (good for up to four people).

Plamore Lanes is offering a similar program for children ages 15 and under. Starting May 1st you can sign up your child to receive two free games all summer long.

Free (or Cheap) Kids’ Workshops

• Jr. Chef Classes – these free classes offered at Williams Sonoma are a wonderful way for your school age child to be introduced to the joys of cooking! These tend to fill up fast so don’t delay if you see one your Jr. Chef might be interested in. Sign-up is done via local stores so call (256) 534-2008 to register.

• Apple Camp – these free workshops are perfect for kids ages 8 to 12. Campers will learn to make movies by storyboarding ideas, shooting video, and creating an original soundtrack. Starting this year they can also create interactive books complete with their own illustrations and sound effects.

• Kids’ Club – Michaels offers regular kids craft workshops aimed at children ages 3+ and while some are free, most have a small fee ($2).

• Home Depot Kid Workshops – these monthly workshops are free and usually aimed at school age children 5+ although there are the occasional options for preschoolers.

Kidventure

Location: 500 Lanier Road, Suite D, Madison
Phone: 256-270-9990
Price: $9.50 per child
Summer Family Membership: $95 + tax, Valid May 22-August 4
More Info: Website

We’ve been big fans of Kidventure, a locally owned and operated indoor playground, since we started RCM. Of course, we’re also big fans of playing outside but when that’s not an option, this is a great one. With tons of special activities happening all summer, you might even want to visit when it’s nice outside.

Pump It Up Open Play

Location: 3230 Leeman Ferry Road
Phone: 256-881-0111
Price: $7 per child
Summer Family Membership: $95/family and $45/child
More Info: Website

Another great option for getting out your wiggles, Pump It Up Huntsville is offering extended Open Play hours for the summer. Beginning May 26th, Open Play hours will be from 10am-12pm, 1pm-3pm, and 4pm-6pm. Their massive inflatables spark kids’ imaginations and let them burn off energy. Open Jumps are safe, indoor, climate-controlled, and fun.

Space and Rocket Center  – Summer Pass

Location: One Tranquility Base, Huntsville
Dates: Sunday-Thursday, Memorial Day – Labor Day
Price: $40 – 1 adult, 2 children (children 6 and under free)
More Info: Website

A Summer Pass to the Space and Rocket Center is a great way for your family to take advantage of the educational opportunities the Center offers while saving some pennies. Includes free entrance to the museum and Science of Imagination series (geared towards ages 4-7) each Thursday morning at 10:30AM in June and July.  If you are interested in a summer pass, you must purchase it IN PERSON at the ticket desk, this pass is not available online. If you’ve never been, be sure to check out our RCM Parent Review of the Space and Rocket Center and see what you’re missing.

Earlyworks Museum  – Summer Pass

Location: 404 Madison St. (map); 320 Church Street (map)
Date(s): May 5-September 7, 2015
Price: $49 – includes 4 family members (1 year or older)
More Info: Website

With this pass you get 2 museums for the price of 1! The Summer Family Fun Pass is good for Earlyworks Children’s Museum AND Constitution Village from the date you buy it until September 1st. In addition to the regular fun of Biscuits Backyard and Toot’s Imagination Station, there are also special activities planned throughout the summer that are included with regular admission or this pass. To get a feel for whether this is a good choice for your family, check out one RCM parent’s review.

Summer Reading Programs

We all know reading is FUNdamental & it’s crazy important to keep it up during the summer months. So here are several reading programs to help make sure your child is ready and able when the school year comes around again.

HMCPL’s Summer Reading Program

Throughout the summer at all 12 library branches, your readers can enjoy amazing programs and track their reading progress. Strap on your capes and get ready to get swept away in worlds of adventure, heroes and villains, all with the power of your library card! Get all the details and list of events here.

Barnes and Noble

As in previous years, Barnes and Noble is offering a free book to every child who reads eight and records them in a journal you can download from their site. You’ll need to check with your local B&N for more info (also on the site linked to here).

Chuck-E-Cheese

Offered year-round, this reward calendar is just one of many types of incentive programs the big cheese offers to parents as a way of getting them to do all kinds of things (stop picking your nose, clean up your room, use the potty, etc.). Simply download and print out the calendar, mark off the days, bring completed calendar to any Chuck-E-Cheese and receive 10 free tokens.